Friday, November 02, 2007

This from the U.S. Census Bureau, whose Facts for Features series always gives some good statistical fun at the launch of the country's various commemorative heritage months:

The first American Indian Day was celebrated in May 1916 in New York. RedFox James, a Blackfeet Indian, rode horseback from state to state, gettingendorsements from 24 state governments, to have a day to honor American Indians.

In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed a joint congressional resolutiondesignating November 1990 as “National American Indian Heritage Month.” Similar proclamations have been issued every year since 1994. This Facts for Featurespresents data for American Indians and Alaska Natives, as this is one of the sixmajor race categories....